Acceptable ID Needed for Notary

One of the most important steps during a notarization is confirming your identity. As government-appointed public officials, Notaries Public are required to verify you are who you claim to be.

In most cases, presenting a current identity document (ID) issued by the state or federal government is sufficient evidence for Notaries to confirm your identity because they contain your photograph, physical description, and signature.

Acceptable forms of ID include, but are not limited to:

• State-issued driver’s licenses
• Passports
• Military IDs
• State, county, and local government IDs
• Permanent resident “green cards”
• Inmate IDs

Many other identity documents may be accepted depending on your state’s Notary rules and regulations. Your Notary will know what types of IDs they can accept, so be sure to ask before your appointment.

The following documents are not acceptable for notarizations:

• Social Security cards
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Credit cards
• School IDs
• Library cards
• Temporary driver’s licenses

Alternative Forms of Identification

What if you don’t have an ID for a Notary? Or what if your ID is expired? You may be asked for an alternative or second form of identification to satisfy the Notary’s ID requirements. In these situations, the Notary may employ personal knowledge, credible identifying witness, and subscribing witness.

Personal Knowledge

The original method of verifying a person’s identity is using personal knowledge. If you and the Notary have known each other for a period of time, the Notary may be able to accept this identification method for the notarization.

Credible Identifying Witnesses

If you don’t have an acceptable form of ID, you may bring someone you know and who is also personally known to the Notary to vouch for your identity. Considered a credible identifying witness, this person must bring a valid ID and be willing to swear to your identity.

Subscribing Witnesses

If you’re unable to appear before a Notary Public due to illness, disability, or physical absence, you may have the option to use a subscribing witness.

A subscribing witness is a person who witnesses the signing of a document and then subscribes (signs) their own name to the document as a witness to attest to the fact that they observed the signing of the document.

To avoid any delays during the notarization process, ask your Notary Public the types of identification methods they accept and how many forms of ID are required. Coming into your appointment with valid documents ensures a smooth and quick transaction.